Out last stop in Australia was Melbourne, a lovely city on the South East coast, a quick flight from Sydney.
I was getting pretty excited about visiting Melbourne as we had arranged to stay with a friend of mine I hadn’t seen in nearly a decade. (Wow, that makes me feel really old.) We were planning to meet up with my friend, Victoria, and her family and head to nearby Phillip Island to relax a bit.
Before meeting up with Vic, we checked out some of the scenes in Melbourne. Personally, I liked Melbourne a lot because it was so “green.” I don’t mean in the environmentally friends sense, although it may be, but that it was literally very green with beautiful flowers everywhere and Gardens to walk around in for hours.
We started with the Royal Botanic Gardens, which was just a short walk from our hotel. We could literally have gotten lost there and enjoyed the colors the whole time. We wandered around and checked out the huge variety of plant species. Everything is nicely labeled, which is awesome so you can know just what are looking at and finding some cool facts out. There are gazebos everywhere for relaxing while taking in the scenery. All around awesome place.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Griffin’s favorite bird of all time, which we found in Melbourne, the Cassowary. We like to call it the Dino Bird because of the oddly shaped crest on the top of its head that looks prehistoric in our minds, if to no one else. Anyway, Griffin has become obsessed with this bird.
After checking out the garden for a while, we stopped in the nearby Shrine of Remembrance, a military museum detailing Australia’s journey to freedom and contributions to world wars. It’s a solemn place of remembrance and touched our hearts even as foreign visitors. The place also boasts a pretty amazing architectural feat, which can be seen in the Sanctuary. A sunken stone plaque which reads, “Greater love hath no man” is read by the visitors in such a way that they much bow their heads to read it. The quote is part of the Bible verse, John 15:13, which states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Every year on November 11th at exactly 11:00am, the sun shines through a open block in the roof and lands directly on the word “Love.” Daylight savings time has caused the necessity of a mirror to be placed to continue to tradition, but it is no less powerful. During the rest of the year, visitors can enjoy a simulation.
Finally we were ready to meet up with Vic’s husband, Chris, for the ride down to Phillip Island. I was happy to see my friend again and meet her sweet family. We had a great time catching up. As it turned out, we also got to meet Chris’ parents and Victoria’s parents as well, which was a blessing to us.
Vic and Chris offered lots of advice for things to see around the island, so we started with the Phillip Island Wildlife Park. This place is getting up close and personal with all kinds of animals and we loved every minute of it. We got to pet Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Emus and saw Koalas, Eagles, and so many more animals I can’t even think of them all. Basically, I didn’t want to leave there and tried to talk Griffin into letting me have a Kangaroo to take home. He said no. =(
We took an extended family trip with all ten of us to The Nobbies, a nature park with one of the most beautiful coastal walkways I’ve ever seen. There is a small island off the coast with hundreds of seals sunbathing, which we enjoyed seeing as well.
Finally, we had to do it, we went to the Penguin Parade. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs nearly every evening at the same time, when hundreds of penguins arrive on shore after a day of fishing and waddle to their beach homes. These are not just any penguins, though, they are “Fairy Penguins,” tiny little fuzzy penguins that stand about 12 inches tall. They are some of the cutest things you’ve ever seen. People have been coming to watch the penguins come home since the 1920’s and it’s still extremely popular. I tried to talk Griffin into letting me have a penguin to take home. He said no. =(
After a few days of seeing the sites on Phillip Island, we tagged along to Vic and Chris’ home back in Melbourne and had a great time hanging out and playing with her cute kids. From there, we booked a rushed flight to continue our journey in New Zealand!
If your in the area, I can’t recommend beautiful Melbourne or Phillip Island highly enough!
]]>We have been puzzled by many things in Korea, but none has confused us so much as the Summer Camp preparations.
A long while before things got started, we noticed that many of our married/coupled friends had been sent to separate camps. This seemed a bit odd and we asked my co-teacher about it. She said that she had heard from the Office of Education that all known couples were intentionally split so the students would be more of a focus for teachers. (This is a bit crazy to us since we are in the classrooms for 12 hours per day, excluding meals.) Since I had not yet changed my last name, they didn’t realize we were married, so we were placed at the same camp. This was very frustrating to our friends and it’s completely against our culture. As foreigners, we know that we need to adapt to the Korean ways of life and we accept that. However, we felt like this was completely against our ways of life and it’s not good for couples to be separated for this long, especially newly weds, as most couples here are. Everyone raised a bit of a fuss about that and most couples were able to switch to the same camps.
After that, we had to jump through some Korean hoops.
We first were asked to attend a mandatory 5 hour prep meeting 2 months before the camp began. We were surprised, first by the amount of time they asked for, and then by the fact that the entire meeting was in Korean. All the foreign teachers left the meeting with about the same amount of information about camp that we came with.
We were given some books and told that we needed to prepare several lesson plans and e-mail them to our assigned Korean co-teacher by the following week. We’re use to writing lesson plans, so it was no problem. We were each also given a work book that corresponded to our “Conversation” book and told that we could use those worksheets with our lessons. That sounded pretty sweet. Until about a week later. I turned my lesson plans in 2 days in advance, but received a strange reply. My co-teacher needed the “worksheet file.” I wrote back, confused, and said that I didn’t have a file for the worksheets, but since we had the same books, maybe she could just use her own book. She replied that this wouldn’t work and she needed a file. I replied that I didn’t have a file because the worksheet didn’t have a CD, and perhaps she could just xerox any worksheets she needed from her own book. After many back-and-forths about this, she replied that she would expect the file by the following day (Saturday). I assured her that she would not receive it. Finally, after speaking to a couple other teachers, all foreign teachers were notified that we were expected to retype all of the worksheets from the pages we needed from the workbooks. (About 20 pages… many with large corresponding pictures that can’t be typed.) This was in mind to avoid violating copyright laws that would have been broken by xeroxing the worksheets. Memo to the Office of Education: Retyping someone else’s worksheets is still a copyright violation.
After many ups and downs about this from all the foreign teachers, most teachers found a way around it. I ended up photographing my worksheets and was assured they would be printed for the camp. Upon reaching camp, I found that my worksheets had not been printed, so they were promptly xeroxed by my co-teacher. Hmmm.
The next crazy thing came about while we were on vacation in China. Griffin received an e-mail and immediately started to laugh. He told me I had to read it because it was unbelievable. The Office of Education had decided that the students needed to spend as much time as possible with the foreign teachers, so we were being required to bunk with the students in their dorm rooms. We decided that this needed no reply from us. We knew that the other foreign teachers would not allow this to proceed. As we suspected, within the next 24 hours, both of our inboxes were flooded with replies to this requirement. Some gave reasons why this would not work, others simply stated that it was uncomfortable. Everyone flat out refused to do it. This requirement was rescinded with a couple of days.
We’ve often wondered why the Office of Education doesn’t have at least one foreign teacher they contact when they are thinking of sending out e-mails/requirements like those above. It seems they could save a lot of time and energy if someone told them it would never fly.
Once camp got started, everything sailed pretty smoothly. We love camps because the class sizes are around 16 students… down from our normal 36 students per class. With this number of students, it’s easier to teach, play and get to know the students over the course of the 3 week intensive camp.
The college campus where we stayed is new and really beautiful. We enjoyed getting to benefit from the electronics placed in the classrooms that made life easier and more complicated at the same time. The university that hosted us is home to students studying Science and Technology and the campus has only been around for about 3 years. Unfortunately, it is in the middle of nowhere, literally surrounded by rice fields. It was kind of nice to get away.
We enjoyed our students and found that teaching elementary students is much easier than middle schoolers. My camp students operate on much higher level of English than my regular middle school kids.
We were pretty surprised at the amount of information these kids are forced to take in in such a short amount of time. Each class studied several lessons per day on each of the the topics of vocabulary, conversation, listening and grammar. During only a 3 week period, the students learned an average of 500 vocabulary words! I won’t ask if they still remember!
We enjoy camp, but could do without the pre-camp “festivities.”
]]>One practice we’ve been really curious about is that of Acupuncture. Nearly every Korean we know has tried acupuncture at some point in their life, but many were afraid that foreigners would not like it, so we were cautioned about trying it. However, when the opportunity arose for us to give it a try during our church’s annual health screening day, we were ready to see what it’s all about. Being that the health screenings were free, made it even better. (Although, unlike these kinds of treatments in America, going to an oriental medicine clinic in Korea will cost you about $8.)
The doctor asked both of us what pain we were currently experiencing, and let’s just say that Taekwondo class left us with no shortage of answers. Griffin explained to the doctor that he may have a pulled muscle in his leg and I have a couple of sore knees. Griffin braved the needle first (of that I am really glad!). Since Griffin had explained to the doctor that his pain was in his left leg, we were a little surprised that he inserted a needle into his right foot. The doctor assured us that he knew what he was dong. 
I was a little startled when the doctor began really twisting the needle into Griffin’s foot. When it was pretty deep, I had to ask if it hurt, but Griffin said he couldn’t even feel it, which made me feel a lot better. Another needle was soon placed in his other foot and he was asked to be still for about 20 minutes.
Next was my turn. Again, to my surprise, my knee pain was treated with needles inserted into my upper left arm and my left hand. I didn’t feel the arm needles at all, but the one he put into my left pinky finger did smart a little.
There are many theories about how acupuncture works, but one of the most commonly held beliefs is that of “Gate Control”The “Gate Control” theory of pain management asserts that a stimulus, such as acupuncture, closes certain nerve gates by strategically overloading them with impulses and thus reducing pain signal transmission. which states that the needle can basically inhibit a pain stimulus and block the pain pathway of the spinal cord.
Although many people think that acupuncture is just a placebo, I have to say that I was a believer before I ever tried it. My grandmother, who suffered from terrible arthritis, could not make a fist before she tried acupuncture. Several sessions later, she said her hands hadn’t felt that good in years. Her doctor explained to her that if she had begun acupuncture treatments when the arthritis first began, it would never have gotten that bad.
As for me and Griffin, we have mixed reviews. My knee pain is all but totally gone, but that could be due to a night off from Taekwondo and the ice I applied to it for several hours. Griffin says his muscle pain is mostly unchanged. But, could we benefit from a few more treatments? We’re definitely considering it.
If something is bothering you, we highly recommend trying something new for a change. You just might be surprised at what oriental healing arts can do for you.
Here is a quick video with some pictures from our experience. Hope you enjoy!
]]>We are now blue belts!! This is the fifth level belt and means we only have another five to go to get a black belt!
You can check back every couple months to see our status update via the image bellow
Belt colors vary from gym to gym, and in our case these last few levels are increasingly difficult to attain. Each level consists of mastering new kicks, punches and blocks, as well as a new “Poomsae,” which is a choreographed routine employing all the learned movements. Since each level has it’s own poomsae, we are required to present each poomsae during the time of the belt test. The more we learn, the more difficult it can be to remember each level’s specific poomsae.
Our instructor continues to impress us. He is an excellent teacher and we are really enjoying our time with him. We hope to progress rapidly through the levels and reach Black Belt sometime in the Fall.
We Are Famous!
Recently, our photos were placed on a large banner outside out gym to advertise our “Foreigner Class.” It’s already getting a good response and our class size has grown from 4 to 8.
Here is how the banner making process went:
Monday: We mention to our instructor that we like the new banner outside (which is in all Korean) and that next time he makes a banner, if he would like, we can help him with some wording to advertise the foreigner class option.
Tuesday: When we walk into class our instructor asks us to stand in front of the wall so he can take a picture. We think this is maybe for himself or his family or something so we are glad to oblige. As an afterthought we ask what the pictures will be for and he tells us he will use them for a new banner! As you will see in the picture, we were not at all ready for pictures much less pictures to go on a giant banner, but oh well.
Our instructor asks us to think of a good phrase to to put on the sign to encourage other foreigners to join.
Wednesday: Valerie and I had a last minute date night and went for dinner and a movie instead of Taekwondo. We plan to recommend the phrase “Foreigner friendly classes available.” to our instructor the next day.
Thursday: We go to Taekwondo and mention our recommended phrase, but are not asked to write it down or anything. We assume all is well.
Friday: The new banner is revealed! We feel a a little responsible for the bad English on the banner, but of course we tell our instructor it is great. The English on the banner reads as follows:
Foreigner Recruitment – (so far so good)
From foreigner practice timely evening 8:30 minute – (OK. it gets the point gets across)
In order for “before the what to become the stately child, it will teach.” – (?)
Here’s the picture!
Our Taekwondo Gym with the banner proudly displayed;-)
Photo of Taekwondo instructor by Flickr user Diego Jose
]]>And so, we’ve been the victims of several types of cravings over the past several months. Namely, we’ve really been missing Mexican food. Imagine our surprise when we discovered the best Mexican food either of us has ever tasted, right here in Korea.
Seoul is the capital city of Korea and by far the largest city. We were beside ourselves to find Mexican restaurants and resolved to figure out which was the best. So, we ate Mexican food not once, not twice, not even three times… but had that unmistakable flavoring a total of four times. And, it was amazing each time.
We were hoping to satisfy our cravings through this exercise, but I’m afraid they are only stronger since finding Taco Rico. Taco Rico sits on the South Eastern side of the city, and it’s not the easiest task to get there, but definitely worth the journey. Just ask Oscar Martinez, Taco Rico’s resident Chef, who comes all the way from… that’s right… MEXICO.
We were amazed at the authentic flavors we found at Taco Rico. Not to mention, the menu items that boast a 100% hand-made standard of excellence. On our way back to our hotel, we both tried to think of another Mexican restaurant that we had ever tried that could top it, and, we may be really deprived of Mexican food here, but we couldn’t think of a better Taco.
If you’re in the area and have the craving, head to Gangnam by taking the subway to Gangnam station via the Green Line (2). Take exit number 8, then head about a block and a half until you see the GS25. Take a left and follow the street around a left hand curve. Just on the other side you will see an Oasis of sorts… the depiction of a sombrero wielding Mexican, the answer to your prayers!
Click here for the Google map location.
Taco Rico 타코리코
서울특별시 강남구 역삼동 818-8
02-558-4525
Price Range: W4-15,000
HOURS
Tues-Sat 11-10 | Sun 11-3
An-yang-ha-se-yo!
Here we are in our 3rd month of marriage and our 2nd month here in Ulsan, South Korea. We decided we were having too much time to relax, so we quickly added a ton of new things to our daily agenda. Aside from our usual lesson planning and teaching, we’ve recently begun two new challenging activities: Korean language classes and the art of Taekwondo.
We have a wonderful language tutor, Ms. Lee, who is the Korean teacher at my school. She graciously offered to teach us for free in exchange for conversing with me sometimes during the day. Ms. Lee is a self-taught English speaker who is only now able to use her skills to speak to foreigners! She is very humble about her abilities, but she speaks excellent English! We are slowly learning our Korean letters and syllables, but find that it is a challenge to find time to study. We meet with Ms. Lee 3 times each week and use flash cards to study outside of our language class.
After Korean lessons, we head home to grab a quick dinner, a must if we are going to avoid food for the hour preceding our Taekwondo class, as Master Young suggests. Our class currently consists of 4 small children, all black belts, ourselves, and two other foreigners. Our pastor, Azel, serves as our translator during class. Azel is Burmese, studied in the Philippines, is married to a Korean and also serves as the pastor for the English service at our church. He is hilarious and says he often confuses his languages. Another friend from church, Allie, also studies Taekwondo with us. At this point in our class, we are still conditioning our bodies. This consists of several exercises and stretching sequences that leave us hurting the following morning. We are also learning some easy punching and kicking techniques and love it when Master Young, who speaks very little English, says “Ah… Good.”
We return home at about 10:00pm and basically fall into bed, exhausted. We are trying our best to make sure we get enough sleep to start it all over again the following day. In Korea, we are told that with some discipline we may be able to earn black belts in about 18 months. Of course, Ms. Lee says I will be reading books in Korean in no time. I’m not sure about either of these statements, but it is really fun to try.
Until next time, An-yang-higa-say-yo!
Griffin and Valerie
Griffin and Valerie in front of the South Korea Flag in our Taekwondo Gym.
Griffin and Valerie with our Taekwondo instructor - Master Young. We love having class with Master Young. He is so kind and picks us up at our house and takes us all the way to and from the gym for class, which is about 5 miles away. He does all this and does not charge any extra.
Alexis, Azel, Valerie & Griffin. In just a matter of months we will all be lethal black belts.
Alexis, Griffin and Valerie with the small korean black belts that could at any moment turn on us and kill us with just their pinky finger!
Valerie and Griffin with our very sweet and awesome Korean teacher Ms. Lee. She taught herself English by studying and reading books and we are the first native speakers she has talked to. Her English is excellent and she is a great teacher!
Photo of Taekwondo instructor by Flickr user Diego Jose
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